How to Fix iOS 18 Beta Stuck on Preparing Update?

Updating to the latest iOS 18 beta can be an exciting experience, you can explore the new features and improvements. However, sometimes the update process doesn't go as smoothly as anticipated, and you might find your device stuck on the "Preparing Update" screen. This issue can be frustrating, but there are several methods to resolve it and get your device back on track. In this article, we'll guide you on how to fix the iOS 18 beta stuck on preparing update and ensuring a smooth installation.

Part 1: Why is my iOS 18 Beta update taking so long to prepare?

If your iOS 18 Beta update is taking a long time to prepare, several factors could be causing the delay. Here are some common reasons.

#1 Slow Internet Connection

A slow or unstable internet connection can significantly delay the download and preparation process.

#2 Large Update File

Beta updates can be large, especially if they include many new features and improvements. The larger the update, the longer it will take to download and prepare.

#3 Insufficient Storage Space

If your device doesn’t have enough free space, the update process can be slowed down or even halted.

#4 Background Processes

Background processes and apps running on your device can consume resources and slow down the update preparation.

#5 Corrupted Update File

A corrupted update file can cause the preparation process to take longer than usual or fail altogether.

#6 Beta Software Bugs

Beta versions of iOS are not as stable as official releases and may contain bugs that can cause issues during the update process.

#7 Device Performance

Older devices may take longer to prepare updates due to slower processing speeds and less RAM.

Part 2: 5 ways to fix iOS 18 Beta stuck on preparing update

Way 1: Ensure a smooth network connection

A slow or unstable internet connection can significantly delay the download and preparation process. Ensure you have a strong and stable connection.

Step 1: Ensure your Wi-Fi signal and cellular data are strong by checking the signal strength indicator on your device.

Step 2: Unplug your Wi-Fi router, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in to reset it.

Step 3: Connect your iPhone to a different Wi-Fi network or use a cellular network with a 5G signal. Ensure no other devices on your network are consuming excessive bandwidth.

Step 4: Retry the update again with a smooth internet connection.

Way 2: Free up storage space

Lack of storage space can hinder the update process. Follow these steps to free up your storage:

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, then tap on General and iPhone/iPad storage options.

Step 2: Check the list of apps and their storage usage.

Step 3: Delete or offload unnecessary apps, media files, or other data you no longer need.

Step 4: Try updating to iOS 18 Beta again after clearing space.

Way 3: Restart or force restart your iPhone

A simple restart can often resolve many issues, including the iOS 18 beta stuck on preparing update issues. You can press and hold the power button and one of the volume buttons at the same time until the slide to power off slider appears. Drag the slider to close your iPhone. Wait for the device to shut down completely, and press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.

If you've tried rebooting your iPhone and it doesn't fix the iOS 18 beta stuck on preparing an update, then you can try to force a reboot. Here's how:

Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

Step 2: Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Step 3: Press and hold the Side button (also known as the Power button) until you see the Apple logo, then release the button.

Way 4: Use TunesKit iOS System Recovery to fix iOS 18 stuck on preparing update

The probable cause of iOS 18 beta stuck on preparing is software glitches. Bugs inside iPhone can affect iOS 18 beta update. At this time, you need professional iOS system repair software to fix these software errors in one click. TunesKit iOS System Recovery is your best choice. Just a data cable, it can fix up to 150+ iOS system errors without data loss, such as the iPhone being stuck on the Apple Logo, 5G not working on the iPhone, could not activate the cellular data network,etc.

In addition to the powerful repair function, it also allows you to upgrade or downgrade iOS with one click, enter or exit recovery mode for free, and reset your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch without a passcode. It has a user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to get started even for newbies.

Without further delay, let's see the step-by-step tutorial to fix the iPhone stuck on preparing update iOS 18 beta using TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1Connect iPhone to PC

Download and install this software on your Windows or Mac computer, then launch it. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB data cable. Select iOS System Repair on the main interface, then click the Start button to move on.

Step 2Select Standard Repair

There are two repair modes for you to choose from. Standard Repair fixes the device without losing data, and Deep Repair fixes more complex iOS errors but wipes all data, it is recommended that you choose Standard Repair first and then choose Deep Repair if it doesn't work.

Step 3Get the firmware package

This program will auto-detect your device's model and iOS version, just select the appropriate firmware package from the drop-down menu, and click the Download button to begin downloading the firmware package.

Step 4Fix iOS 18 Beta stuck on preparing update without data loss

Click the Repair button after successful download, this program will auto-start fix the iOS 18 beta installation issue. When the repair process is completed, your iPhone will restart, then you can proceed with the iOS 18 beta installation.

Way 5: Remove the update file

If your iPhone gets stuck on the "Preparing to Update" screen due to corruption of the previous update file, this can interfere with the installation of a new update, such as the iOS 18 beta. To resolve this, consider deleting the old update file and then reinstalling the iOS 18 beta. Here's how:

Step 1: Move to Settings > General > iPhone Storage section.

Step 2: Find the iOS 18 update file in the list and tap on it.

Step 3: Tap Delete Update to remove the file.

Step 4: After deleting the file, start the iOS 18 beta update process again.

Part 3: FAQs about iOS 18 Beta stuck on preparing update

Q1. How long should the "Preparing Update" stage take?

The "Preparing Update" stage typically takes about 15-30 minutes. If it takes significantly longer, it might indicate an issue with the update process.

Q2. How much free storage space is needed to install the iOS 18 Beta update?

Generally, you should have at least 5-10 GB of free storage space to ensure a smooth update process.

Q3. Will deleting the old update file affect my current iOS version?

No, deleting the old update file will not affect your current iOS version. It will only remove the downloaded update file, allowing you to re-download a fresh copy.

Part 4: Conclusion

Experiencing your iPhone getting stuck on the "Preparing Update" screen while installing the iOS 18 Beta can be frustrating, but it is a common issue with several effective solutions. By following the ways outlined above—such as deleting the previous update file, ensuring sufficient storage space, restarting your iPhone and checking your internet connection—you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve iOS 18 beta stuck on preparing update. Besides these methods, TunesKit iOS System Recovery is your best bet to fix iOS 18 beta stuck on preparing update without data loss. Hope you can smoothly complete your iOS 18 Beta installation and enjoy the new features it offers.